L5 - OPIOIDS Flashcards
Why enforcing harm reduction instead of abstinence?
-User might not be ready to quit
-Lower risk of diversion to non-regulated substances (helping to prevent OD and undesirable health consequences)
What is harm reduction?
Harm reduction is an approach acknowledging that substance use is above legal control, and therefore aims at preventing OD and serious health problems from substance use instead of prohibiting and penalizing use. It engages directly with users “where they are” on their own terms and respect their respective goals or lifestyles.
Name three opioid agonist treatments.
Methadone, buprenorphine and diacetylmorphine (heroin).
List three benefits from methadone treatment.
-High bioavailability
-Long elimination
-Prevents withdrawals
To which opioid agonist treatment are these two limitations applying: no ceiling effects (potential OD) and taken under supervision.
Methadone.
Which opioid agonist treatment has to be combined with naloxone? Why?
Buprenorphine. To avoid diversion.
List four benefits from buprenorphine treatment.
-Long elimination
-Relieves withdrawals
-Ceiling effect (less likely to OD)
-Less restrictive treatment modalities
Why is buprenorphine not ideally perceived by users?
Has to be combined with naloxone.
Why would heroin be used instead of methadone and buprenorphine?
For treatment-resistant cases.
What is the main factor for service interruption in conventional, abstinence-oriented methadone maintenance programs?
Cocaine, first, but also being a woman, working in the sex trade and not having stable income.
What’s the difference between Subutex and Suboxone?
Subutex (France label) contains only buprenorphine, while Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and Naloxone.
Name two opioid antagonist treatments.
Naltrexone and naloxone.
Naltrexone specifically antagonizes which opioid?
Heroin.
To which opioid agonist treatment are these two limitations applying: only decreases cravings and chronic exposure can upregulate opioid receptors (increasing sensitivity).
Naltrexone.
What is Naloxone specifically used for?
OD prevention.
